Reconnecting With Ourselves: Underground Apex's Deep Listening Challenge

What is the purpose of art? Why do we listen to music? The answer to these questions are subjective, but more often than not music is used as a way to stimulate our minds and fill the silence while completing menial tasks. But when was the last time you listened — really listened— to an album in its totality, from start to finish? In a world that moves so fast, it can be easy to forget how disconnected we, as a society, have become from the way we produce and consume art.

The process of writing, recording, and producing music is so much more complex and time-consuming than we often take the time to say. When an artist releases music, they are not just sharing their art, but an extremely vulnerable part of themselves. Therefore, music needs to be consumed with ethical responsibility, awareness, and intention in order to fully connect with not just the artists, but with ourselves. When harnessed properly, music is a tool for expanding our perspective and connecting and understanding ourselves and others.

Engaging with music is less about understanding the artists intent, and more about understanding and expanding your own. Having a meaningful and insightful opinion on music, is not limited to music writers, journalists, or music industry professionals. That’s why we want to hear from you by participating in the #UADEEPLISTENINGCHALLANGE. Clear your schedule for the next few hours, choose one of the five albums listed at the bottom of the page or an album from your collection, find a quiet place, get comfortable, close your eyes, and allow yourself to be fully consumed in the music. Listen to the album in order, from start to finish.

While you’re listening, we want you to think about the story the album creates in your mind and visualize what YOU THINK is happening, think about what lyrics or themes you relate to, think about how the song connects to your own personal experiences, think about what the artist is really saying, and explore your own creativity and feelings. Once you’ve fully listened to the album of your choice, write down your thoughts, walk us through the story you visualized, and/or tell us how it made you feel. Submit your responses through the ‘Deep Listening Submissions’ section which can be found by clicking on the submissions tab.

We will choose five individuals total, to win a copy of either V.V Lightbody’s ‘Make A Shrine or Burn It’ OHMME’s ‘Fantasize Your Ghost’ Deeper’s ‘Auto-Pain’ Fran’s ‘A Private Picture’ or DEHD’s ‘Water’ on vinyl. Winners will be announced on Friday each week and the first winner will be announced on May 14th. Winning submissions will be published on the website.

Keep in mind that artists don't always get told how their music positively impacts people, and this is a really great way to show them. Remember, your voice, opinion, and perspective matter, this is a chance for you to prove that to yourself. Be creative, be yourself, and most impotently have fun. We can't wait to see what you guys have to say.

Underground Apex's Deep Listening Challenge Album Choices:

1. V.V Lightbody's 'Make a Shrine or Burn It'

2. OHMME’s ‘Fantasize Your Ghost’

3. Deeper’s ‘Autopain'

4. Fran’s ‘A Private Picture’

5. DEHD’s ‘Water’